In the myth of Daphne and Apollo, Cupid fired two arrows: one causing flight from love, the other passionate attraction. Cupid aimed his first arrow at Daphne, a beautiful nymph who loved her freedom; the next struck Apollo, who lusted after Daphne. Daphne, frightened and intent upon virginity, fled Apollo but was unable to run fast enough. When her strength was almost gone, she sought protection in the familiar waters of her father's river. He answered her prayers: Her hair became leaves, and her feet, roots growing into the ground; she was transformed into a laurel tree. Apollo, kissing the...

It is an intriguing feature of human experience that in our present world, amid thousands of indications of the effectiveness of the scientific method, so many of us persist in demonstrably illusory or magical beliefs whether religiously related or simply reflections of long-standing superstitions. At a time when millions can observe on television the first landings of human beings on the moon, when our daily lives in the so-called devel oped countries are replete with conveniences that reflect scientific advances, we still persist in daily wagers on the state lotteries, in paying astrologers...